SMILE - Refractive Laser
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Information - SMILE - Laser Refractive Surgery
Laser refractive surgery is constantly advancing with new technology. If you’re looking to get rid of glasses and contacts, there are three types of laser eye surgeries available: photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASIK and SMILE. All three reshape the front part of the eye called the cornea.
The SMILE Procedure
SMILE laser eye surgery involves using a femtosecond laser to cut a little wafer of tissue inside the cornea and remove it through a very small incision. The surgeon uses the laser to create a small arc-shaped incision in the surface of the cornea, then extracts the tissue through a two-millimetre incision. Unlike LASIK, there’s no flap created, and the tissue is removed through cutting, not ablation. The risks associated with SMILE are like LASIK: dry eye and halos. There is a small risk of regression, meaning that you could drift back a little bit to your old prescription, but if that happens you can often have an enhancement.
The biggest advancement or advantage of SMILE is that there’s no flap created, so there’s no risk of having it dislodged or moved. So if you’re somebody who’s actively involved in sports, SMILE may be a good option for you compared to some of the other surgeries that are available today.
Other Types of Laser Eye Surgery
During the LASIK procedure, the eye surgeon uses a microkeratome (blade) or femtosecond laser to cut a flap of the cornea, lifts the flap up, applies the blade or laser to reshape the cornea and puts the flap back down. LASIK can correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia (age-related nearsightedness). Photorefractive keratectomy was the first laser refractive surgery. PRK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. During PRK laser eye surgery, the ophthalmologist removes the epithelium (the surface of the eye) and applies an excimer laser to resurface, blade or vaporize the tissue on the surface of the cornea.
SMILE and LASIK laser eye procedures have a shorter recovery time than PRK. You may experience slight dryness and irritation, but usually symptoms don’t last long. After PRK, patients require a bandaged contact lens, because the epithelium has been removed. It can take six to eight weeks for your vision to fully recover. If you consult with an ophthalmologist about laser refractive surgery, he or she will ensure that your cornea is thick enough and that you don’t have any abnormal curvatures.
Talk to your eye doctor if you'd like more information on SMILE.
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SMILE laser eye surgery involves using a femtosecond laser to cut a little wafer of tissue inside the cornea and remove it through a very small incision.
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Unlike LASIK, there’s no flap created, and the tissue is removed through cutting, not ablation.
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The risks associated with SMILE are like LASIK: dry eye and halos.
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The biggest advancement or advantage of SMILE is that there’s no flap created, so there’s no risk of having it dislodged or moved.
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There is a small risk of regression, meaning that you could drift back a little bit to your old prescription, but if that happens you can often have an enhancement.